Motorcycle rider dies after rear-ending car

By TIMES WIRES
Published January 18, 2007

A 23-year-old motorcyclist died Wednesday afternoon in the Carrollwood area when he crashed into the rear end of a car, a sheriff's spokeswoman said. Jose Manuel Gonzalez of 12802 Citrus Park Lane in Tampa was driving his 2000 Yamaha bike south on Lynn Turner Road when he pulled up behind a turning Chrysler. Christopher Lee Kuhnast, 25, of 14315 Black Cypress Lane in Tampa had slowed to make a left turn onto Village View Drive. First, Gonzalez attempted to pass him, a sheriff's spokeswoman said, but the motorcyclist put his brakes on when he realized the vehicle was preparing to turn. Gonzalez, who was wearing a helmet, laid his motorcycle down and struck the left rear corner of the Chrysler. He died at the scene. The crash is still under investigation.

Brutalized calf found by rancher

A Brooksville cattle rancher found a missing calf Tuesday. Fifteen feet away he found its severed head. The grisly discovery took place on Mondon Hill Road east of Brooksville, according to the Sheriff's Office. The 5-week-old calf had been missing for a few weeks when the rancher found it. He said the black calf was worth about $100.

Cat struck with arrow survives

Sunday afternoon, Amanda Pugh was opening a can of Fancy Feast for her white cat, Snowball, when she heard her 6-year-old daughter screaming. Snowball was under the coffee table, licking her paw, head impaled by an arrow. Snowball went to the animal emergency room, and sheriff's Deputy Daniel Moslek III came to investigate. One day earlier, he discovered, a neighbor on Krag Drive had been seen shooting a crossbow at a target propped against a wooden fence. No arrest had been reported by Wednesday. Pugh couldn't afford to pay for Snowball's medical care. So she released the cat to Pasco County Animal Services. Somehow Snowball survived. Veterinarians managed to remove the arrow. The cat was at the shelter in Land O'Lakes on Wednesday, getting along fine.

Murder suspect accused of assault

Eric Antwon "E-love" Wilson, facing murder charges in a 2001 shooting at a Trilacoochee club, now must answer to another incident at the night spot. According to a Sheriff's Office report, bouncer Brian Thomas said Wilson and another man punched him several times during an Oct. 13 fight outside Club Illusions, also known as Rumors. The State Attorney's Office filed a misdemeanor battery charge against Wilson on Jan. 4. No hearings have been set. He was not in custody Wednesday at the county jail. Wilson, 32, of Dade City is accused in the Feb. 25, 2001, shooting death of "Little" Ronnie Barber at Rumors. Wilson's murder trial has been rescheduled at least a dozen times because of numerous problems.